A statement is going viral on social media platforms asserting that Israel does not have the right to decide the future of Gaza, which is Palestinian land. Users on social media platforms are sharing this statement and claiming that it has been made by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Jackson Hinkle, known for consistently sharing false news and misinformation on social media platforms, shared an image of French President Emmanuel Macron and wrote: “France’s Macron: “Israel does not have the right to decide the future of Gaza, is Palestinian land.”

The archive version can be seen here.

Subsequently, other users also shared Macron’s image and made similar claims.

Fact-Check

To determine the reality of the viral statement, the DFRAC team conducted keyword research in the context of the above viral statement and found some media reports from the Wafa News Agency and Anadolu Ajansi.

According to a media report published by Wafa News Agency on January 6, 2024, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that Gaza is a Palestinian land, and Israel has no right to determine its future. She commented on the statements made by two ministers in the Israeli government in which they called for relocating the people of the Gaza Strip to another country and constructing settlements there.

Furthermore, it was mentioned in the report: “Such calls are irresponsible and keep us away from a solution. We need to return to the principle of international law and respect it. Gaza is a Palestinian land that wants to become part of the future Palestinian state. We support the two-state solution, which is the only viable option, Gaza and the West Bank together must be part of the future Palestinian state”, she added”.

Another media report by Anadolu Ajnasi also reported similar facts regarding the above viral statement.

Conclusion

It is evident from DFRAC’s Fact-Check that the above viral statement has been made by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, not by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Hence, the claim of social media users is false.

Analysis: Misleading